The perception of staff nurses regarding the presence of student nurses in the clinical area

The descriptive method was used in this study. The respondents were 77 staff nurses from De La Salle University Medical Center and Dr. Jose P. Rizal Hospital and National Medical Research Center chosen through purposive sampling technique. A self-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The statistical tests applied were mean, frequency distribution, t-test and f-test. The study concluded that, most of the respondents were 20-25 years old, female, have worked for 1-3 years, were from De La Salle University Medical Center, were on a 12-hour shift and were working in a semi-private ward with 8-14 patient-ratio. In terms of knowledge and skills, staff nurses agree that the ideal roles and responsibilities of a nurse in a clinical area are performed with the presence of student nurses. The student nurses help minimize their workload. In terms of attitude, the respondents agree that better working relationship among members of the health care team, patients, and relatives is established and proper attitude is observed in the clinical area with the presence of student nurses. They also agree that nursing procedures are done with enthusiasm and that the areas are maintained safe and clean. Gender, age, length of service, shifting schedule, type of service accommodation, and institution showed no significant difference to the perception of the staff nurses regarding the presence of the student nurses in the clinical area except for the nurse-patient ratio where it showed a significant difference in terms of knowledge and skills.